Media & Press Releases

Riding for Rhinos to Support Save the Rhino Trust Namibia

Oct 5, 2016 | Wilderness Safaris

Now in its second year, the RMB Namibia Ride for Rhinos fundraising cycle event took place from 1 to 4 September 2016, encompassing 160 km of vast and rugged Palmwag terrain in Damaraland and raising approximately NAD200 000 for Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) Namibia.

Wilderness Safaris Namibia has been involved since the event began last year, assisting with route mapping and providing most of the vehicles, a small truck, some operational support and organizing a private chef from Namibia Exclusive Safaris to cater for the group. Wilderness Safaris Desert Rhino Camp, which operates in close partnership with SRT, was proud to host the cyclists on their last night of the ride.

Desert Rhino Camp is a joint venture between Wilderness Safaris, SRT, and the nearby community conservancies of Torra, Sesfontein and Anabeb with a portion of guests’ nightly rates directly funding black rhino monitoring and various other conservation activities in the region. This collaboration is instrumental in many conservation successes in Damaraland’s remote and harsh environment, most notably a healthy growth in black rhino population over the past three decades.

“We are thrilled to be part of this event to help raise funds for SRT and ensure the ongoing protection of rhino in the Palmwag area. Last year’s monies were used to purchase a Land Cruiser for SRT while this year the funds will be used to maintain the vehicle and support the conservation project’s field operations”, said Johan Fourie, Wilderness Safaris Namibia guide trainer and cyclist leader.

Fourie explained that the event was more of a nature experience than a race, comprising 20 riders, from novices to very experienced riders. “One of many highlights was our swim in a natural spring at Van Zyls Gat on Day 1 halfway through the ride. Then, sighting Kangombe, a rhino bull known to SRT since 1982 and the dominant male of the area, was a startling and amazing reminder of the objective of our ride,” he added.

Aimed at influential Namibians, the exclusive RMB Namibia Ride for Rhinos would not be possible without significant contributions from Venture Publications and Wilderness Safaris, as well as RMB Namibia as the title sponsor. Other generous sponsors for the 2016 event included the Cymot Group, which provided essential equipment for the cyclists.